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Turkmenistan's annual workout

The highly coordinated, state-mandated exercise shown above was broadcast on April 2 on Turkmen state television. This week marks Turkmenistan's second annual "Week of Health and Happiness", instituted by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. As a part of the special week, government employees and students are ordered to participate in sporting events and calisthenic routines. This year's motto is "Turkmenistan is a land of health and lofty spirit."

Turkmenistan's annual workout

Turkmen President orders his nation to get moving.

The highly coordinated, state-mandated exercise shown above was broadcast on April 2 on Turkmen state television. This week marks Turkmenistan's second annual "Week of Health and Happiness", instituted by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. As a part of the special week, government employees and students are ordered to participate in sporting events and calisthenic routines. This year's motto is "Turkmenistan is a land of health and lofty spirit."

Not all Turkmens were happy about the forced week of working out. Annaoraz, a 37-year-old doctor, told RFE/RL's Turkmen Service - he was required to spend 100 manats ($35) to buy the required uniform for the state-held sports competitions.

"Most of these events are held just for show because we had to perform this exercise several times for the TV crew to record it," explains Annaoraz. "We had to wait several hours for the TV crew. Filming took one or two hours."rferl.org

Many Netizens criticised the forced nature of Berdymukhammedov's approach to promoting health and happiness: